States Begin Requiring Encryption of Personal Data

Effective Wednesday, October 1, each business in Nevada must encrypt customers' personal information when it is transmitted outside the business' secure network, such as when it's transmitted over wifi.

Initially passed in October 2007, it was said to have been the first law of this type.The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has also instituted a rule through its Office of Consumer Affairs, effective January 1, 2009, that requires encryption of any personal data that is "portable," such as on a laptop or a USB card.